Page 8 - ADT MAY-JUNE 2022 Online Magazine

Each Caesar SPH carries a total 18 rounds (39
and 52 caliber ammunition) including explosive
shell, illuminating shell, smoke shell, warning
shell, directed effect anti-tank shells. The SP
howitzers offer great tactical mobility, being
able to travel as far as 600 km and achieve
an off-road speed of 50 kmph. According to [ COVER STORY ]
Nexter Systems, the Caesar SPH is based on
a standard truck and is easier and cheaper to
maintain than other SP howitzers.

The French armed forces inducted the Caesar
into service in 2008 and it has been deployed
by French and other armies since 2009 in
Afghanistan, Lebanon, Mali and current oper-
ation in Sahel, Iraq, in Middle-East and East
Asia. Belgium emerged as the latest interna-
tional customer for the Caesar in May. As part
of the signing of the CaMo 2 intergovernmental
agreement between France and Belgium, the
latter will acquire nine new generation Caesar
guns, for 62 million euros. Nexter Systems is
Caesar's prime contractor and more than 300
Caesar SPHs are thought to be in service and
these have travelled more than one million km
and fired over 100,000 rounds.

Rocket Ready
The decision to provide the Ukraine with M142
HIMARS rocket artillery will allow the Ukrainian
armed forces to perform rocket attacks with
increased precision using multiple, preci-
sion-guided rockets. The M142 HIMARS is
a full-spectrum, combat-proven, all-weather,
24/7, lethal and responsive, wheeled precision
strike weapons system. In addition to the four
who had arrived in the centre held practical exercises for Ukrainian HIMARS systems, the latest U.S. weapons
servicemen related to using and firing control of M777 155-mm package to Ukraine will deliver five count-
howitzers,” the MoD official stated. The missile attack also resulted er-artillery radar systems; two air-surveillance
in the destruction of a permanent base of foreign mercenaries near radars; 1,000 Javelins and 50 command launch
Dachnoye, Odessa Region. The official also went on to say, that units; 6,000 anti-armour weapons; 15,000
Russian missile troops and artillery had struck 33 command posts 155-mm artillery rounds; four Mi-17 helicopters;
and 131 artillery firing positions. The aviation attacks also destroyed 15 tactical vehicles; and additional spare parts
20 tanks and armoured vehicles, four BM-21 Grad multiple rocket and equipment.
launchers, nine artillery mounts and 29 miscellaneous vehicles.
The M142 HIMARS system allows for the
launching of multiple, precision-guided rockets.
Caesar on the Frontline Along with the HIMARS system, Ukraine will also
Along with the M777, the induction of the highly regarded Nexter receive Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
Systems is a further boost to the Ukrainian armed forces. It can fire (GMLRS) to be used with system. These rock-
projectiles out to ranges of approximately 40 km and a well-trained ets are capable of hitting a target more than 64
crew can fire six rounds in one minute. With the ever present threat km away. The GMLRS is an all-weather rocket
of enemy air-strikes, a Caesar SPH can emplace and deplace in that delivers precision strike capability and is
two minutes (each). While facing a counterbattery, it can fire six the HIMAR’s primary round. It features a Global
rounds and come out of the action in less than 1.4 minutes. The Positioning System (GPS) aided inertial guid-
Caesar self-propelled wheeled 155 mm gun is fitted on a compact ance package and small manoeuvring canards
Mercedes-Unimog 6x6 chassis giving it great agility. Each vehicle on the rocket nose, which add manoeuvrability
has a crew of five personnel. and accuracy of the system.

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